Pneumatic-cushioned seat-post for bicycles.



.Nn.-664,|s`4. v .Patentied nec. la, |900. J. w. sToLL. 1

PNEUMATIC CUSHIUNED SEAT POST FUHVBIGYCLES. (Application tiled Aug. 24, 1898. Renewed July 23, 1900.)

(No Model.)

7K5 www;

- I l f I 1 u we nonms Pinasca, Fuera-Luna, v/AsmNoTnN n. c.

NITED STATES `ATENT turen.

JACOB WILLIAM STOLL, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 664,184, dated December 18, 1900. Application iiled August 24,1898. Renewed July 23, 1900. Serial No. 24,595. (No model.)

To all whom t may concern,.-

Beit known that I, JACOB WILLA'M STOLL, a citizen of the United States of America, and a resident of Chicago, county of Cook, State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Pneumatic-Cushioned Seat-Posts for Bicycles,of which the following is a specification.

The object of this invention is to provide a pneumatic-cushioned seat-post that shall work without grinding or material friction, that shall be readily convertible into a non-cushioned structure, and that shall have no parts requiring accurate tting or likely to get out of repair, as pneumatic piston devices are likely t0 do.

In the drawings, Figure l is an axial section of a seat-post tube and certain accessories. Fig. 2 is an analogous section looking in the direction of the arrow of Fig. 1. Figs. 3 and 4 are sections on the lines 3 3 and 4 4, respectively, of Fig. 2. Fig. 5 is a section similar to Fig. 2, but showing the parts in different positions. Fig. 6 is a section at 6 6, Fig. 5. Fig. 7 is a section analogous to Fig. 4, but showing a modified construction.

The upper portion A of a slotted tubular seat-post forming part of a bicycle-frame is made larger than is usual, and within the lower part of this portion is seated a pneumatic cushion C, the walls of which are similar in character to the wall of ordinary pneumatic tires. as shown at C', and it is provided below with a common valve-stem C3,that projects through the base of the enlarged portion.

Within the frame-post A is a tube B, slotted at its upper end,'as seen at B2, and provided With longitudinal ribs B', grooved to receive bearing-balls F. Within this tube or seat-post is a second tube or post D, provided With external longitudinal ribs D', registering with the ribs first mentioned, and each having near its upper and lower ends distinct short races alining with each other and allowing each of the balls F to roll freely along the inner tube as the latter descends. This inner tube supports the saddle, (not shown,) the manner of attachment being here immaterial. At the top of the frame-post is an ordinary clamp G, and within the framepost at this point is a divided Washer E, which Its upper end is preferably fiat,

normally receives at E', between .the adja= cent ends, a lug A2, projecting inwardly from the wall of the frame-post. The washer normally rests upon the top'of the tube B, and both it and the tube B are rigidly clamped by the action of the clamp G, which also causes the lug A2 to be gripped by the washer. At one side of the slot in the frame-post a lug A normally projects into a slot B2in the tube B and normally prevents compression of the latter. The seat-post D is provided with a lateral projection,` which may be the upper end of the rib D and which in certain positions of the washer passes freely through an aperture E2, formed by cutting away the inner portions of the washers ends.

Normally, as shown in Figs. 1, 2, 3, and 4, the seat-post D, which has its lowerend closed and preferably rounded, rests upon the cushion C and slides freely, guided by the balls at its upper and lower ends.

Should the rider so desire for any reason, the clamp G being loosened, the Washer may be raised and turned to the position shown in Fig. 6, the tubes B D being pushed down- -ward and the projection D' being beneath the Washer when the latter is again depressed. In the new position of the washer the lug A2 engages in a notch E3 in the edge of the Washer, and the projection A lies in a wider upper portion of the slt B2, near the upper end of the tube B, where it offers no resistance to the compression of that tube. The clamp G may now compress not only the frame-post, but both the tube B and the Washer, and thus the latter is caused to rigidly grip the inner tube or seat-post. The action ofthe clamp, then,now binds the framepost and both tubes into one rigid whole.

Should it be desired to allow the saddle to have a limited rotary movement about the axis of the frame-post, the grooves Bs in the ribs B are made wide enough to permit such movement.

It is obvious that in certain parts ofthe devices where two parts are to be engaged the projection may be upon either if the other be provided with the corresponding recess to receive it.

What I claim is- 1.*The combination with a compressible frame-post, of a longitudinally-adjustable IOO ' jecting from the frame-tube into said slot tube fitting in the saine and provided with a l longitudinal slot varying in width, a lug proand adapted when in its narrow portion to prevent compression of the tube, and a clamp for compressing the frame-post; whereby the tube yields or not when clamped, according as its position brings the lug in the wider or narrower portion of the slot.

2. The combination with the slotted framepost and means for compressing it to clamp the parts within, of a cushion seated in the frame-post at some distance below its upper end, a slotted tube fitting in the frame-post above the cushion and below the frame-posts upper end, a seat-post normally supported by said cushion and sliding in said tube, a compressible washer fitting in the frame-post. above said tube and closely encircling the seat-post, and means for at will permitting or preventing the compression of the Washer by the compressing of the frame-post.

f3. The combination with the slotted framepost and the clamp for compressing the same, of the slotted tube fixed in the frame-post by the action of said clamp and provided With an internal lug, a seat-post mounted to slide longitudinally in said tube, a cushion normally supporting the seat-post, and a divided Washer above the tube, fitting the space between the seat-post and frame-post walls, and adjustable to include or not include said lug between its ends; whereby the action of the clamp leaves the seat-post free or rigidly locks it, the Washer, and the tube together, accordingv as the lug is between or not between said ends.

Signedby me at Chicago, Illinois, this 20th day of August, 1898.

JACOB WILLIAM STOLL.

Witnesses:

D. LossIUs, W. E. WILLIAMS. 

